Sun, 03/29/2009 - 00:00

Kelly Leak snags Sunland's $100K bonus

Kelly Leak rolled past a hot pace under a first-rate ride from New Mexico native Mike Smith to win the $800,000 Sunland Park Derby on Sunday, as well as a $100,000 bonus for having graded earnings coming into the race. The Sunland Derby was the richest Thoroughbred stakes ever run in New Mexico. It shared a card with four other stakes, the races worth a cumulative $1.5 million on what was the richest program of the meet at Sunland.

Mystical Power finished 1 1/2 lengths back in second in the 12-horse field, while it was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third to Scorewithcater.

Sun, 03/29/2009 - 00:00

Reach One More turns back favorite

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Reach One More overcame a strong challenge from 4-5 favorite Tidal Storm in the final turn to rally back and post a three-quarter-length win in Saturday's $11,420 Baxter Stakes at Fonner Park.

Sun, 03/29/2009 - 00:00

Ain't He a Pistol pounces in Nodouble

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Ain't He a Pistol overtook pacesetter Sheriff Hotdog leaving the eighth pole and went on to 1 1/4-length win in the inaugural $50,000 Nodouble Breeders' Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Sunday. It was another two lengths back in third to Roll On Roll On.

The Nodouble, a six-furlong race for 4-year-olds and up, shared a card with the $50,000 Rainbow for 3-year-olds won by Texas Birdstone ($10). Both races were restricted to horses bred in Arkansas.

Sun, 03/29/2009 - 00:00

Mother Russia, 'Uncle T' take stallion stakes

The end of Aqueduct's winter meet proved to be a great day for Uncle T Seven and Mother Russia to start their 3-year-old campaigns.

With Ramon Dominguez piloting both horses, Uncle T Seven and Mother Russia were dominant winners of their respective divisions of the New York Stallion Stakes on Sunday, the final day of racing this winter over Aqueduct's inner track. Racing moves to the main track beginning Wednesday.

Sun, 03/29/2009 - 00:00

In Santa Paula, Carlsbad keeps on winning

ARCADIA, Calif. - Carlsbad remained unbeaten in five races after an easy win in Sunday's $100,000 Santa Paula Stakes at Santa Anita. She remains untested, too.

After winning her first four starts at Turf Paradise by a combined 50 3/4 lengths, Carlsbad won the Grade 3 Santa Paula by "only" 3 1/4 lengths.

Sun, 03/29/2009 - 00:00

Tensas Yucatan takes meet's final stakes

In the last stakes race of the 137th Fair Grounds season, odds-on favorite Tensas Yucatan was much the best in Sunday's $60,000 Red Camelia, giving jockey Jamie Theriot and trainer Morris Nicks their third wins on the day.

After laying just off pacesetter Royal Madame, Tensas Yucatan took over on the turn, and no one got close, as she came home 2 1/4 lengths in front.

Tensas Yucatan went 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.36 over a turf course rated good, and paid $4.40 to win. She earned $36,000 for her owner, James Spence, taking her bankroll past $400,000.

Sun, 03/29/2009 - 00:00

One Caroline makes it five in Rampart

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - One Caroline remained perfect after cruising to an easy 6 1/2-length victory over Sea Chanter in Sunday's $150,000 Ramart at Gulfstream Park.

One Caroline, a 4-year-old daughter of Unbridled's Song, won for the fifth time in as many starts in the Grade 2 Rampart. She did so despite breaking a step slow and ducking out briefly as she moved to the lead around the opening turn of the nine furlong Rampart.

Sat, 03/28/2009 - 00:00

Stream Cat holds off Big Booster

ARCADIA, Calif. - Stream Cat held off a late threat from favored Big Booster to win Saturday's $100,000 Tokyo City Handicap at Santa Anita.

Closing from sixth in a field of seven, Stream Cat won the Grade 3 Tokyo City Handicap by a neck after taking the lead in the final furlong. Ridden by Joe Talamo, Stream Cat ($11.40) ran 1 1/2 miles on the main track in 2:31.92.

Sat, 03/28/2009 - 00:00

Palanka City takes Carousel at Oaklawn

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Palanka City moved past a game Solarana leaving the eighth pole for a length and a half win in the $50,000 Carousel at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. Solarana was a clear second, finishing four lengths in front of third-place finisher Blowing Kisses.

Sat, 03/28/2009 - 00:00

Luzzi convinces Weathered to relax

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Weathered completed a successful winter meet by capturing her first career graded stakes, winning Saturday's Grade 3, $105,800 Next Move Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths at Aqueduct.

Winning Point, who appeared to be getting a perfect trip behind dueling leaders, settled for second, 4 3/4 lengths ahead of Successful Sarah. Point Me to It and Bourbon Maid completed the order of finish. Nijinsky Bullet scratched.